Petra is known as the rose-red city, called so after the wonderful color of the rock from which many of the city's structures were carved in mountains.
The precise date when Petra was built is not known, but the city began to flourish as the capital of the Nabataean Empire from the 1st century BC, growing rich through trade in perfume, myrrh, and spices.
It was later annexed by the Roman Empire, but a large earthquake in 363 AD destroyed much of the city and it was abandoned. Only in 1812 was the city rediscovered by a Swiss explorer.
In 2007, Petra was named one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.
Tourists visiting the stone temple-mausoleum of Al-Khazneh ("Treasury of the Pharaoh") in the ancient city of Petra in Jordan.
A Bedouin on a horse in the ancient city of Petra in Jordan.
Tourists visiting the ruins of the ancient city of Petra in Jordan.
Tourists looking at a map in the ancient city of Petra in Jordan.
Tourists visiting the rock temple-mausoleum of Al-Khazneh ("Treasury of the Pharaoh") in the ancient city of Petra in Jordan.
Tourists visiting the amphitheater, built by ancient Nabateans, in the city of Petra in Jordan.
A Bedouin with donkeys in the ancient city of Petra in Jordan.
A tourist walks along the cave houses of the Bedouin nomads in the ancient city of Petra in Jordan.
A Bedouin in the ancient city of Petra in Jordan.
Ruins of the ancient city of Petra in Jordan.
An obelisk in the Sik gorge in the ancient city of Petra in Jordan
Tourists in the Sik gorge leading to the ancient city of Petra in Jordan.
Tourists visiting the temple of female warriors in the ancient city of Petra in Jordan.
